Right to Request Time to Train activities for HR and Learning & Development Representatives

If you’re a Human Resources or Learning and Development specialist you are likely to be involved in promoting training opportunities and policies to the whole organisation. You may also be in a position to support line managers and supervisors directly in understanding how training can make a positive difference to their teams’ performance.

 This relatively new right is an ideal opportunity to:

• promote the right to the whole organisation.

• talk to line managers and supervisors about the best way to approach and agree relevant training for their team members.

• discuss the new right with union learning reps and learning champions about the best way to support employees to exercise the right.

• promote to employees the importance of talking to their managers and supervisors about their training needs.

Suggested activities:

• Raise awareness of the right to all employees through promotional activities e.g. through newsletters, email, posters and stands. Highlight examples of employees that have gained through training. Work with the chief executive and senior managers to promote messages on the company’s commitment to learning and training.

Available resources:

Downloadable ‘Time to Train’ poster - blank and with writing

Template message for unionised and non-unionised workplaces

• Organise a presentation for line managers and supervisors to introduce and explain the right and how it links to existing company policy and processes for training.

Template presentation and guidance notes on new right

• Run a workshop for line managers and supervisors to offer guidance on how best to identify training needs linked to individual development, team performance and business objectives . Take workshop attendees through the stage of the application where a request under the right is considered.

Downloadable exercise for simulating stage where application is considered

Downloadable Leading on Learning booklet for managers

• Organise a meeting with union learning representatives and learning champions to discuss the right and the best way of working together to support employees’ requests